The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-05-27
TuoMAs n i, q GENIN,s poEsl,I
An Epic Work by a. Local Genius on the
IN 51gss4 Life Of Napoleon ,3-it, y ~

~ IhOMhs He tfNlN'o i'OhMs "A
An Epic Work by a. Local Genius on the
Lifo Of Napoicon.f FIX;
The letter reprinted In the 1srELLloRs.
GER from the Cincinnati Times.Star, In
which correspondent gives some remin.
iscences Of St. Clairsyille, recalled to the
writer'a mind Thomas II. Genin and his
little book, "Napolead,n and he hunted
up tho copy Of this epic poem which he
has owned since, as boy, ho used to pay |
frequent vlsita-in the season Of ripe |
fruit-to the old man, whose former resi.
dcnco, rehabili!atod, is now occupied by |
Mr.. John L. Burt, Of thu, Benwood lion
Works office.
I remember as distinctly as II II were
yesterday I had seen him, the old mans
scholarly and dignifed appearance, and
the loose cloak he wore In cool weather.
His statue In the Methodist cemetery Of
81 Clairsyille LIS very fair likeness, con-
sidering that 1t was made in Italy by a
sculptor who had only such idea OF Ills ap.
pearance as could be obtained from q
daguerreotype. This statue, by the way,
was erected by his nephew, John N.
Genin, Of New York, who inherited tho
old mans wealth. John N. Genin was a
halter, and he bought at auction the first
seat sold Tor Jennie Lind's first concert in
this country. The old man was wont TO
cay that his nephew, by piece Of spend.
thrift foollshness, had won greater fame in
a day than no himself had achieved by
his great talents In life time no thought
these were degenerate days.
The "Nspolead" was printed at 81.
Clairsville in 1883, by Horton ]. Howard,
an uncle oil General Cowen, who figures
prominently in the letter above referred
to. There was very extensive book
publishing houae In st. Clairsville In
those days, which printed many school
books, literary works and one large law
book, series OF New York reports by
Judge Esek Cowen, an uncle Of General
Cowen, which Is Btill standard work.
Gepin's "Eapolead' is a tixtesn.mo
book Of over 800 pages OF fine print. 1t
/ was written in 1916, but not printed for
, seventeen years. It Is q poetical picture
Of Napoleon's career, introducing the
higher powers, whose councils are repre-.
scented as shaping the course OF events
. 1t is written In the familiar metre Of!
"Paradiss Lost" tho rythm is for the
most part musical, and the lofty ntylo.
worthy Of tho high plane Of the works
conception, ia sustained throughout the
: twelve cautos.
n The opening lines OF the poem give a
very good idea OF its character. The sug-
gestion Of Millions opening Of paradise
Lost" is striking:
Q Sling. Heavenly Muse, OF arms, and him who moved
, All EurOp:, warning Oh the Russian realm,
BY tderate kin. constrained; his empires fall,
. Ills passive yalor mldAt the storms Of fate.
Ills moml grandeur. Aid, yc deathless powers
And give IL Immortality the song.
iie the great victor Of uuUumbe!ed fields
Had long gigantic staiked or PROSTATE thrones,
! Ana humUlcd realms, Ell preme Of mortal men;
His Grcn. achievements blooming III ren0wn
J Surpassed the famed 1pOit, Of heroes old,
While ike comet blazing through the heavens,
The wonder and the drSGu Of ne!ghbOring Otbs.
He soared rtiulgent DER The nsiUulshed world
And filled the breast OF mightiest kings with ave.
Mos. anybody will agree tina. this ia not
bad poetry. Throughout! tho work there
arc bite OF charming description, tlasheB
OF fguIstive writing Of rGre beauty and
power, and quotabie lines Of Tipdom which
make 1t seem strange tina. the poem never
attracted general attention. Perhaps the
! modest manner OF its publication explains
this.
In the preliminary council 90 to the dis
position OF eyents in Europe through the
means Of Napoleon, Philanthropy" hay
ing pleaded with Jehovah 10 put an end
to war, jehovah responds:
Bescech me not TO end the reign OF war;
Man works bis doom. by knowledge dearly bought,
Bought By lorg ages OF destructive Strife
He will consent TO change his deadly arms
For implements Of husbtndIy,, That time
Is yet remote. p'St many evil days.
Then shall all nations III loud chorus join
To celebrate Our name. and Hell will mourn
Its empire Loot among the sons OF men.
, These lines are from tho opening Of
Canto "; they bear comparison with
: much OF the blank verse mott popular in
their day
Twas miduishts peaceful hour; the unwear!c4
world
In darkness rolled beneath far twinkliuy stars
Which Ri.d p'gh's throne, bright OthC'cs Of tOd
| Which lead the mind In contemplation dep,
TIL rcason In immensely expires.
Here Is a powerful description OF evil
minded people, common to 81! ages
They have no power except the power to hate;
TOO small eCa for danrntiOn, save their OWL
Like farglcSS v!pelS strike hut cannot wOunh:
Their Efforts prove their venom, not thei: strength
Following are few passagos picked at
random:-
Kings should belong 10 REALMS, not realms to Kings,
ana perhh for their pcople not depend
On their distress 10 save themselves from harm.
All, were the nn'ionS jrsl--nsy, only wis.,
MARS Gcs'h.drawn chaI!ntncver more would roll,
Bnt held aS Oarba!ous folly, sink despsCd,
Companion OF exploded etIoB past.
Why should's, thou.
,F,,I, 1.